Budget Mastery Programme

Real budgeting skills that actually stick. Not another spreadsheet course—this is about understanding your money in a way that works for how you live.

We spend six months building habits, not just handing you templates. Because honestly? Most people don't need more financial advice. They need someone to walk them through it until it clicks.

Why This Programme Exists

After years of watching people struggle with monthly budgets, we noticed something. The issue wasn't that folks didn't understand maths. They just couldn't bridge the gap between theory and their actual life.

You know—when unexpected bills hit and suddenly that perfect budget falls apart. Or when partner spending habits clash with yours. The real stuff that textbooks skip over.

So we built a programme around those messy realities. Small groups, regular check-ins, and instructors who remember what it's like to be confused about money. No judgement, just practical guidance.

We're not promising you'll become a financial wizard. But you might actually feel in control of your money for once.

Collaborative budgeting workshop session with participants reviewing financial documents

What You'll Actually Learn

Six months broken into digestible chunks. Each module builds on the last, but we move at your pace.

1

Getting Real About Money

Where your money actually goes versus where you think it goes. This gap is usually... surprising.

  • Tracking without obsessing
  • Identifying patterns you didn't notice
  • Understanding your spending personality
  • Setting up systems that work for your life
2

Building Your First Real Budget

Not a perfect budget. A working one. There's a difference.

  • Creating categories that make sense to you
  • Allocating realistically, not optimistically
  • Building in buffer zones
  • Adjusting when life happens
3

Handling Variable Income

For freelancers, contractors, and anyone whose paycheque isn't predictable.

  • Budgeting with irregular money
  • Creating income averages that work
  • Building reserves strategically
  • Paying yourself like an employee
4

Dealing With Debt

Practical approaches to paying things down without living on instant noodles.

  • Prioritising what to pay first
  • Negotiating payment plans
  • Balancing debt payments with living
  • Staying motivated when progress is slow
5

Planning for Big Purchases

Cars break down. Appliances die. Family emergencies happen. Let's prepare.

  • Building sinking funds that actually fill up
  • Deciding what's worth financing
  • Creating purchase timelines
  • Avoiding impulse regret
6

Making It Stick

Turning these new habits into your normal. That's where the real work happens.

  • Monthly review routines that don't take hours
  • Adjusting budgets as life changes
  • Handling setbacks without giving up
  • Teaching these skills to family

When We're Running Next

Winter 2026 Cohort

Our most popular session. Small group size means you'll get individual attention when you're stuck.

Start Date 15 June 2026
Duration 24 weeks
Format Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8pm
Group Size 12-15 participants

Spring 2026 Cohort

Perfect if you want to sort your finances before the end of financial year hits.

Start Date 8 September 2026
Duration 24 weeks
Format Thursday evenings, 7-8:30pm
Group Size 12-15 participants

All sessions include weekly group meetings, unlimited email support between sessions, and access to our private community forum. We meet in person at our Double Bay location, but recordings are available if you miss a week.

Student reviewing personal budget materials and taking notes during individual study session

Programme Investment

$1,850
Full 24-week programme
  • 24 weekly group sessions
  • Personal budget review sessions
  • Email support between classes
  • Access to resource library
  • Community forum membership
  • Session recordings for 12 months

Payment plans available. Split across 6 monthly instalments of $320 with no additional fees.

Register Your Interest

Who's Teaching This

We're not financial gurus. Just regular people who figured this stuff out and want to help others do the same.

Portrait of Sienna Blackwood, lead budget programme facilitator

Sienna Blackwood

Programme Lead

Spent 15 years as a financial counsellor before realising most people just needed someone patient to explain the basics. Now runs these sessions and still learns something new from each group.

Portrait of Callum Rourke, budget systems specialist and facilitator

Callum Rourke

Systems Specialist

Former IT consultant who got obsessed with budget spreadsheets. Helps people find tracking systems that don't make them want to give up after two weeks.

Portrait of Margot Fairweather, debt management consultant and programme facilitator

Margot Fairweather

Debt Specialist

Climbed out of serious debt herself and decided to make it her mission to help others avoid the mistakes she made. Knows every trick and shortcut.

Portrait of Leora Pemberton, behavioural finance coach and programme facilitator

Leora Pemberton

Behaviour Coach

Psychology background meets money management. Focuses on why we make the financial decisions we do and how to change patterns that aren't serving us.